Destination:The Berkshires
of Western Massachusetts

PARKS

While the
Berkshires are collectively known as "America's premier
cultural resort," the region's natural beauty is largely what
attracted so many artists here in the first place.

The
Mohawk Trail, also known as Route 2, represents the
best way to navigate your way through the Berkshires' natural
assets. As the name suggests, this scenic by-way started out as an
old Indian trail. Early settlers later widened it. The trail
opened for traffic in 1914, making it the first scenic automobile
route constructed in America.

Of course, as
you travel along the Mohawk Trail, you'll want to take several
side trips. Your many options will include visits to the parks
listed below.

Mount
Greylock State Reservation Rockwell Rd., Lanesborough (413) 499-4262
Park covers more than 11,000 acres and features a two-mile
trail leading to the 3,491-foot peak of Mount Greylock, the
highest peak in Massachusetts. Atop Mount Greylock, crystal-clear
views of up to 100 miles allow you to see five different states.

The reservation also is
home to Mount Prospect, Mount Fitch, Mount Williams, and Saddle
Ball Mountain. And three of the mountains -- Greylock, Williams,
and Prospect --- combine with Stoney Ledge to create a unique
geographical formation known as the "Hopper Natural Area,"
a part of the park that has given rise to an old-growth forest
with trees more than 150 years old.

Monument Mtn ReservationRt. 7, Great Barrington
Three miles of trails through a pine-and-oak forest. The
geographic formation known as "Devil's Pulpit" invites
photographs. Pale quartzite rock provides colorful backdrop.